Sarasota GOP chairman Gruters disavows Waechter's actions

It did not take long for Sarasota Republican Party chairman Joe Gruters to distance the party from former leader Robert Waechter, who was charged with a felony for allegedly stealing a political rival's identity to make donations to Democrats in her name.

Since Waechter was charged earlier this month, Gruters has been sending word to the media and the local Republican Party faithful that he knew nothing of Waechter's alleged behavior.

"Whether factual or not, it is important you know that the RPOS had no awareness of, nor involvement with the alleged activities," Gruters said in the statement to party followers. "There is no place in our party for illicit campaign tactics or disreputable behavior."

Waechter turned himself in to authorities on Dec. 14 after Sarasota County sheriff's deputies said they found evidence that showed Waechter used a prepaid debit card to make a $200 campaign donation to a Democratic candidate for Congress in the name of Lourdes Ramirez, a Republican considering running for the County Commission against one of Waechter's favored candidates in 2014. They also reported that Waechter made a $35 donation in Ramirez's name to a Democratic state legislative candidate.

In theory, the donations could have been used against Ramirez, a community activist from Siesta Key, in a Republican primary to raise suspicions about her party credentials.

Waechter, who has already given up his seat on the governor-appointed Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Authority, has refused to comment since his arrest.

Gruters, who himself is considering running for another County Commission seat, said he was forced to respond because too many people in the community were suggesting that he or other party leaders had something to do with the effort to discredit Ramirez.

"People were lumping all of the Republican Party leaders together because he is a former leader," Gruters said.

The State Attorney's Office is expected to decide in the next two weeks whether to pursue charges against the politically connected Waechter, who played a key role in helping four of five Sarasota County commissioners win elections.

A comeback?

Waechter's departure from the airport authority could be just the opening another former GOP chairman needs to re-enter public service.

Tramm Hudson, Sarasota's Republican Party leader from 1998 to 2004, is one of seven people who have applied for three open seats on the airport authority, which sets policy for the facility.

The former Sarasota Republican Party chairman has been out of politics since losing his bid for Congress in 2006. But Hudson said now that he's retired from banking he has more time to be involved in the community again.

"I've always been interested in public service," said Hudson of the unpaid, non-elected position that carries a four-year term.

Hudson, 60, said his key experience for the job is having served on former Gov. Jeb Bush's transportation transition committee in 1998.

Hudson's competition is strong. Among others bidding for the posts: Jack Brill, the finance chairman for the county GOP; Jamie Miller, former executive director of the state Republican Party; Carlos Beruff, a current board member and developer seeking re-appointment; county GOP activist Walt Augustinowicz and Peter Wish, a psychologist and former delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Hudson said he's just hoping to be part of the airport authority. But would he run for public office again?

"You never say never," Hudson said.

Senators get high marks

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson may be in different parties, but a majority of Floridians believe they are doing a good job.

New polling released by the Quinnipiac Polling Institute last week showed that 52 percent of respondants believe Rubio, a Republican, is handling his job well. Only 30 percent said they disapproved of his handling of his job.

Nelson, a Democrat, had similar numbers. About 51 percent approved of the way Nelson is handling his job and just 31 percent disapproved. It's Nelson's best standing with Florida voters all year.

Nelson just won re-election in November by easily defeating former U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, a Republican.

Rubio won his seat in 2010 and is up for re-election in 2016. His approval ratings have been mostly above 50 percent since he took office two years ago.

Both are far better liked than either Gov. Rick Scott or the Florida Legislature. Only 36 percent of voters said they approved of the work Scott is doing. Just 35 percent think the Legislature is doing a good job.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,261 registered voters in Florida from Dec. 11 to Dec. 17. The poll has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
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Last modified: December 23, 2012
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